![S22-23 Match Report: West Essex 0 – 0 Harwich & Parkeston (Fri 26 Aug) [FAV 1RQ 27.8.22]](https://survivor16b.files.wordpress.com/2022/08/20220826_202036.jpg?w=1200)
The Isuzu FA Vase – First Round Qualifying
Venue: Wadham Lodge Stadium
Attendance: 115 (Est)
2022-23 Season: Match 10
Friday 26 August 2022 – 7.45pm KO
West: White & Black Shirts, White Shorts & White Socks
Harwich: Red & White Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks
West progress on Penalties after Harwich battle hard at Wadham
West Essex 0 – 0 Harwich & Parkeston (West won 5 – 3 on spot-kicks)
Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]
The FA Vase began for another season with an intriguing Friday night tie against Eastern Counties Division One North side Harwich & Parkeston, who reside in mid-table there in tbe early table. West have started their league campaign well but were looking to avoid a second Cup exit in a week after narrowly losing out at Dunstable Town in the FA Cup five days previously. West fielded new goalkeeper Arthur Leblond between the sticks, with a defence comprised of Sanchez Hardy, Joel Lamb, Emmanuel Oluwole and Tala Lo-Seye. Captain Reece Clarke returned after serving his recent suspension, while the forward line included David Bell, Mo Kaudeer and Marlon Ortiz. Harwuch had Brad Cook in goal, with Nathan Kioussis and Jack Wood in central defence and captain Gareth Heaty and Alfred Smith in central midfield. Centre forward Joe Boreham-Knight was supported by Luke Mayhew, Matthew Geen and Brandon Rusby.
Harwich should be commended for travelling from the North East Essex coast on a Friday night and they began the under pressure from this exuberant Stags team. In the first 10 minutes, Visiting ‘keeper Brad Cook pulled off two really good saves to deny Reece Clarke’s fierce opening strike and soon after, a decent strike by forward David Bell. Harwich were focused on their efforts defensively, however it would be a misnomer to say they didn’t push forward with some verve and pace too. Joe Boreham-Knight led the forward line well, though it was Matthew Geen’s strike that kept home goalkeeper Arthur Leblond alert, though the shot lacked the power to unduly trouble him.
The effort levels were there from the hosts though they found it difficult to create an avalanche of chances and to get past the hard-working & organised Harwich backline, led by Nathan Kioussis and Jack Wood. Wood nearly had a moment of hefty misfortune on 38 minutes as a clearing header looped not far wide of the leftside post. Moments later, a rare one-on-one chance for pacy forward Marlon Ortiz saw a well-struck effort cannon off the right-sided post with Cook beaten.
In the main though, Harwich were doing a good role of frustrating the hosts, and while they were a threat from set-plays, West stopper Leblond was largely untroubled heading into the interval.
Half-Time: West Essex 0 – 0 Harwich
For the decent crowd that turned up here (including some travelling Shrimpers fans, credit to them), the second half was more about the competitive contest to win the momentum, more than it was about a large array of chances created. That being said, Harwich & Parkeston did force a good save from West goalkeeper Leblond from close range, while a last-ditch defensive clearance soon afterward prevented them from taking a surprise lead.
Boreham-Knight was still a good outlet for the Shrimpers and his header on 72 minutes was gathered well by Leblond. The tension and urgency was rising by this point as the prospect of the dreaded penalty shoot-out did loom. With 77 minutes on the watch, a good ball in from the right flank by full-back Sanchez Hardy was pounced on by Ortiz though the path of the ball was slightly behind him so the forward couldn’t generate the power in his strike to bypass Cook, who was able to gather. Joel Lamb also struck narrowly over the goal frame from 25 yards out but despite both teams’ efforts, penalties it was.
FT (After 90 mins): West Essex 0 – 0 Harwich & Parkeston
So the neccessary spot-kick shoot-out would determine who went through to the Second Qualifying Round. In summary, West scored some good penalties and notched all five of theirs, with David Bell firing home the winning spot-kick past Harwich stopper Cook, after Harwich winger Luke Mayhew’s spot-kick was well kept out by Stags goalkeeper Arthur Leblond.
Full-Time: West Essex 0 – 0 Harwich & Parkeston (West won 5 – 3 on pens)
In summary, this hard-fought Vase tie was not blessed with a huge array of chances though it is arguable that Harwich goalkeeper Brad Cook and the defence prevented West from winning the game in the ninety minutes. The hosts were good in terms of effort levels even if they couldn’t quite create their final ball as they would have liked.
There were some good performances to note as ever. For winners West Essex, forward David Bell put in a very hard-working display and certainly did his utmost to test Harwich custodian Brad Cook and the tough visiting defence, making several good runs and getting into good positions. Midfielder Timmy Moncur was also an important player in this match for West, getting into the channels to stretch the opposition backline with a high-energy display. Lastly, centre-back Emmanuel Oluwole contributed to a home defence that did not give Harwich too many chances either, making several good interceptions and showing good positioning defensively.
For Harwich, goalkeeper Brad Cook made three terrific saves to keep his team in it before the hour mark, and his presence encouraged the resilent defence as well. Forward Joe Boreham-Knight had another fine game despite not having that much service, getting in behind the opposition full-backs and also keeping the West backline alert in a physical battle. Finally, centre-back Nathan Kioussis typified the robust attitude of his team in frustrating the Stags by anchoring the Harwich backline and restricting the amount of chances conceded.
So, West do progress to the Second Round Qualifying next month and have earned £550 in prize money (Source: The FA Website), congrats to them while Harwich have gained £160 by way of consolation. I wish the Shrimpers well for the rest of their season.
Teams
West Essex | Manager: Kwame Kwateng | Assistants: George Karsa & Josh Rogers
Starting XI (Subs): 1 Arthur Leblond (GK), 2 Sanchez Hardy (12 Tyler Morgan 90’+2), 3 Joel Lamb, 5 Emmanuel Oluwole, 15 Tala Lo-Seye, 17 Saliu Lo-Seye (8 Oliseh Okuguni 66′), 14 Reece Clarke (Capt), 22 Timmy Moncur, 21 Mohamud Kaudeer (10 Callum Bloss 66′), 20 David Bell, 9 Marlon Ortiz
| Subs Not Used: McNally, Kinzonzi, Pike & Ignatiuk (GK)
Harwich & Parkeston | Manager: Sean Tynan | Assistant: Gary Kioussis
Starting XI (Subs): 1 Brad Cook (GK), 2 Shaun Kioussis, 3 Reece Harte, 5 Nathan Kioussis, 6 Jack Wood, 4 Alfred Smith, 17 Matthew Geen (14 Robert Pratt 69′), 8 Gareth Heath (Capt), 9 Joe Boreham-Knight, 10 Brandon Rusby (15 Jay Eggerichs 69′), 11 Luke Mayhew
Booked: Rusby | Subs Not Used: Tuck, Lines (GK)
Referee: Sam Everitt
Assistants: Dean Banks & Riley Chalfen
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